Last night I discovered Keri Arthur’s Aussie speak dictionary for the podcast on the Urban fantasy versus paranormal she did with Jane Routley and myself at Conflux 4 in 2007. (There’s also a link to the podcast on Marta Acosta’s vampire wire ).

That panel was a lot of fun, and thinking about it reminded me of the other great panels that were produced as podcasts.

I chaired a panel on The dead body – How to kill someone heroically, where Keri, Richard Harland and I were treated to a brilliant display of sword fighting by Chris Barnes (unfortunately the visuals don’t show in the podcast 🙂 ) and participated in Telling the future – how divination really works, with Kylie Seluka (Chair) and Margi Curtis.

We are now starting to dream about Conflux 5 – it’s all about Dreaming. mmmmmm. First meeting of the committee was exciting in its possibilities. I’m rubbing my fingers together and not telling about some of the tasty ideas.

For months I’ve been working as part of the committee for Conflux 4 – http://www.conflux.org.au – which took place in Canberra from 28 September to 1 October. It’s been a great experience, largely because the committee were so easy to work with – positive and ego-free.

Oh, Conflux was good. All our hard work paid off in great fun. I met wonderful new people (Hi Keri), old friends, attending workshops and panels. If I have to choose what I enjoyed most, I couldn’t say. Being on the panels was good – the podcasts are up on the Conflux website. Unfortunately for me, all three of my three panels started at 9 in the morning so I never did get to sleep in.

The food at the AUTHENTIC Regency Gothic Banquet was supurb (thanks to food historian Gillian Polack – the yummy recipes are at Gillian’s foodblog at http://www.foodpast.com, our dedicated team of food testers (or do I mean tasters) and Rydges’ enthusiastic chef). I loved watching the company and the costumes. I dressed up in empire style, with peacock feathers in my hair, a fan and a reticule (Regency handbag).

Terry Dowling launched Rynemonn, the long anticipated, final book, in his acclaimed Tom Rynoceross series available at http://www.coeurdelion.com.au.